They’re not standing around the watercooler, but Cheryl Sadler, Mark Meszoros, Mark Podolski and Nicole Franz are talking about what they’ve been watching, listening to and playing during their free time.

Monday, December 27, 2010

2010 Albums of the Year

10.) My Chemical Romance - The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
A bit of a disappointment considering I waited more than four years for this release after the band released two great albums but Killjoys is still one of the year’s better rock albums and there are a handful of standout tracks including “Na Na Na,” “The Only Hope For Me Is You,” “The Kids From Yesterday.” Best track: “Save Yourself, I’ll hold them back”

9.) Terrible Things - Terrible Things
What I figured would be a throwaway album that I’d at least give a chance to listen to, I really ended up liking. Terrible Things is made up of former members of Taking Back Sunday, Coheed and Cambria and Hot Rod Circuit. Best track: “Been Here Before”

8.) Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns
Released a great non-traditional, if not very risky, single in "The Catalyst" which sounds like a long extended six-minute introduction arena rock shouting anthem. Album clearly tries to be different and succeeds successfully but this album lacks replay value that their other albums demand. With that said, I wouldn’t call this their worst album, because artistically, it’s their best, Just not something you’ll want to listen to over and over but still a pretty good album nonetheless. Best track: “Waiting For The End”

7.) B.o.B. - Adventures of Bobby Ray
A very surprisingly good debut from this Atlanta rapper who experiences with all different types of genres with top notch production. This album caught me totally off guard. He can rap, sing, play guitar, piano. Basically, he can do it all and it’s scary to think what his future albums will sound like. Best track: “Past My Shades”

6.) Jimmy Eat World - InventedInvented, the band’s seventh studio album, continues to showcase the consistency and strong story telling of Jimmy Eat World, who haven’t lost a step with age. I can’t say this enough about them, this band is as solid as they come. Best track: “Cut”

5.) Brandon Flowers - Flamingo (Deluxe Edition)
The Killers’ frontman released a solid debut solo album which covers various genres from rock to country to folk. It took a little bit of warming up to due to the diversity throughout the record and how different it sounds from The Killers, but it proved to be one of the better albums released this year. It’s one of those albums where each week, you have a different favorite song. Best track: “Playing With Fire”

4.) Bad Books - Bad Books
A collaboration album rarely seen in the rock genre combining Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine. Andy Hull and Kevin Devine’s chemistry is off the charts as they lay their vocals on top of each other in about half of the songs, singing solo over soft acoustic guitar on the other half. Best track: “You’re A Mirror I Cannot Avoid”

3.) Nas and Damian Marley - Distant Relatives
A collaboration album that not only works but far exceeds any expectations it had coming with it. Nas and Marley show chemistry as if they had been working together for years as they talk about Africa, poverty and various other social issues that surround us all today. Best track: “Land of Promise.”

Most years, this probably would have been my favorite album of the year but then there was...

2.) Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
With already an impressive album catalogue, MBDTF is Kanye’s masterpiece. From the production to the lyrics to the guest appearances, the album is a unique musical journey that’s a look into the dark mind of Kanye as he battles his own twisted thoughts, his road to redemption and everything in between. Best track: "So Appalled"

And...

1.) Eminem - Recovery
No accents, no messing around, much different production, very dark, very honest, lots of sampling, far and away better than Encore and Relapse. Translation: His best work in more than eight years and was without a doubt the album of the year...that was until Kanye released MBDTF, which pretty much rivals Recovery but I’m giving the edge to Em. Best track: "Cold Wind Blows"